Myanmar to acquire six Su-30 multirole fighters from Russia

Gabriel Dominguez, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

23 January 2018

Myanmar will procure six Sukhoi Su-30 multirole fighter aircraft from Russia, the government in Moscow announced on 22 January following an agreement reached between the two countries during a recent visit by Russian Defence Minister General Sergei Shoigu to the Southeast Asian country.

The MoD in Moscow announced on 22 January that Myanmar will acquire six Su-30 multirole fighters (similar to this one in Russian service) from Russia. (French MoD)

Shoigu’s visit “has given additional impetus to military and technical co-operation between Russia and Myanmar: the Republic [of the Union of Myanmar] is actively procuring the Russian armaments and military hardware, including the Su-30 fighter jets”, Deputy Defence Minister Lieutenant General Alexander Fomin was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in Moscow.

Lt Gen Fomin, who did not reveal what other military equipment Myanmar is procuring, was quoted as expressing confidence that the Su-30s will become “the main fighter jets of the Myanmar Air Force [MAF] to protect territorial integrity and repel terrorist attacks”.

The MoD statement did not provide any details about the value of the Su-30 contract or the expected delivery dates.

During Shoigu’s 20-22 January visit to Myanmar the two countries also signed an intergovernmental agreement to simplify procedures for port calls by the two countries’ warships.

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